Name That Christmas Specialhttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com
Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:25:30 +0000en-UShourly1A Cosmic Christmas Animation Celhttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/a-cosmic-christmas-animation-cel/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/a-cosmic-christmas-animation-cel/#respondThu, 07 Feb 2019 13:20:11 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2252I’ve always loved A Cosmic Christmas, for many reasons. I remember it when it aired for the very first time and still watch it regularly. And I collect all kinds of stuff from it if I can, LPs, books, video cassettes… everything but DVD, because they’ve still yet to put it out! (Fingers crossed for […]

]]>I’ve always loved A Cosmic Christmas, for many reasons. I remember it when it aired for the very first time and still watch it regularly. And I collect all kinds of stuff from it if I can, LPs, books, video cassettes… everything but DVD, because they’ve still yet to put it out! (Fingers crossed for BluRay). But a couple of years ago, when I was doing my semi-regular ebay search for Cosmic Christmas paraphernalia, I came across a batch of original cels (or they say they’re original, they sure look real. No one tell me if they’re not). There were no key scenes and they’d paired the painted cels with random backgrounds from other shows, so it wasn’t ideal, but I knew I could work with it, so I bought it.

So, where to begin. Here’s what I got. It was the best of several cels on offer. At least I knew the character and the scene. No idea what the background’s from, but it didn’t matter.

Original cel and background.

First I checked that it was a cel that was actually used, so I scrubbed through the video and found the exact frame it was used.

Scene from A Cosmic Christmas with my cel.

Just for fun I overlaid the cell on a screenshot of the special, to see what I was working with.

Cel superimposed on a screen capture of the video.

As luck would have it, one of the other cels they were offering online had the correct background, but the wrong cel. Didn’t matter, it gave me a clearer sense of the original colour from the shooting.

A different cel I didn’t buy, but it had the background I wanted

I suppose if money weren’t a factor, I could have just bought the other cel and used it’s background, but they were just colour photocopies, so nothing particularly special about the background, but it did give me something to use as a better background. Since it was animation, I thought it best to redraw it in Adobe Illustrator, so the lines would be crisp and clean. So that’s what I did.

Redrawn background of the original scene.

I had to guess a bit on the background colour since the video was old and dark, but I’m pleased with how it turned out. Now all that was left was to drop the cel on top and frame it!

Original cel laid on top of the printed background. Suitable for framing!

And that’s it. It hangs in my hallway and I’m always proud to show it off. A nice little memento from one of my all-time favourite Christmas specials!

Oh, and there’s a certificate of authenticity. Again, no one correct me if it’s fake, I just don’t want to know.

]]>http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/a-cosmic-christmas-animation-cel/feed/0Whoville Posterhttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/whoville-poster/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/whoville-poster/#respondSun, 16 Dec 2018 15:42:30 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2207I made this poster of the star raising over Whoville, put together from screengrabs of the panning of the camera up the mountains of Whoville. I printed the poster for friends, and I thought there might be some people on here who might enjoy it. Click to open the full-sized version (right click to download)

]]>I made this poster of the star raising over Whoville, put together from screengrabs of the panning of the camera up the mountains of Whoville. I printed the poster for friends, and I thought there might be some people on here who might enjoy it.

]]>http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/whoville-poster/feed/0Wrapping Paper Backgroundshttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/wrapping-paper-backgrounds/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/wrapping-paper-backgrounds/#commentsThu, 13 Dec 2018 19:34:42 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2183One of the simplest joys I’ve built for myself this Christmas is the idea of Wrapping Paper Backgrounds. Basically, I scan wrapping paper before I wrap with it, then make it into a pattern that repeats and I then use it as my computer’s desktop background. Seems simple enough, but I’ve set it to pick a […]

]]>One of the simplest joys I’ve built for myself this Christmas is the idea of Wrapping Paper Backgrounds. Basically, I scan wrapping paper before I wrap with it, then make it into a pattern that repeats and I then use it as my computer’s desktop background. Seems simple enough, but I’ve set it to pick a new, random pattern each hour, so every hour I get a colourful, festive surprise. It’s a little thing, but it’s a great little thing.

I’ve collected the handful of patterns I’ve made here to share so you can download them and try it yourself if you want to. As time allows, I hope to put up a tutorial on how to make the repeating pattern. It’s something that comes easy to me, but that’s after years of patterning. In the meantime, enjoy some of the patterns I’ve already made.

I hope to add to this collection as I do more scanning and wrapping.

These patterns are of course copyright, so I’m in no position to share them, but it’s just a desktop background, hopefully that won’t raise too many concerns.

]]>http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/wrapping-paper-backgrounds/feed/2Black Christmas Gingerbread Househttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/black-christmas-gingerbread-house/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/black-christmas-gingerbread-house/#commentsWed, 12 Dec 2018 15:45:42 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2108Who doesn’t love a Black Christmas Gingerbread House? So it’s been a while since I’ve worked on a gingerbread house, but I’ve always thought it was a shame that this particular house didn’t get the gingerbread tribute that it deserved… Black Christmas is a classic Christmas horror film, and it’s about time it got this […]

So it’s been a while since I’ve worked on a gingerbread house, but I’ve always thought it was a shame that this particular house didn’t get the gingerbread tribute that it deserved… Black Christmas is a classic Christmas horror film, and it’s about time it got this kind of tribute.

I enlisted the help of the most qualified friends I knew, both of whom are excellent planners, and designers of food. Tony Neville and Tracey Neville make incredible food creations and their skill is all over this project.

It was great fun to put together too, watching the film for clues and angles. I tried to make a pilgrimage to the actual house, but missed out because I ran out of time. There have been many renovations since the movie was made. I’ve heard the owners have never been that interested in tourists, so the celluloid version was more than enough.

Sketches and Plans

Much sketching and planning was done for the Black Christmas Gingerbread House: Graph paper, cardboard mock-ups, foam core mock-ups, test bakes. Lots of little touches to make sure it was as good as we could do. Sure there’s stuff we forgot, or didn’t get perfect, but we hope you enjoy our humble tribute to the holidays and to a classic piece of holiday cinema. In gingerbread!

]]>http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/black-christmas-gingerbread-house/feed/2A Visit to Retrofestivehttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/retrofestive/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/retrofestive/#respondTue, 11 Dec 2018 22:30:54 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2092I finally had a chance to get out to Oakville to visit Retrofestive. After wanting to for so long, I was thrilled to get there. It’s Canada’s Pop Culture Christmas store and it’s the most Christmas goodies you could ever want to see in one place. It’s overwhelming really. I didn’t know what to do with […]

]]>I finally had a chance to get out to Oakville to visit Retrofestive. After wanting to for so long, I was thrilled to get there. It’s Canada’s Pop Culture Christmas store and it’s the most Christmas goodies you could ever want to see in one place. It’s overwhelming really. I didn’t know what to do with myself once I got in. I thought it would be a lot smaller but there was room after room of Christmas goodness: Ornaments, Christmas sweaters, games, cards, knick-knacks, whatever. A return trip may be in order just so I can get a handle on what I saw!

You can recognize the place by the Santas and the giant Bumble outside, and a most gracious Bumble he was, he even let us stop and take our pictures with him! Then inside you’re welcomed by free cider and sugar cookies. Yep, they know how to do Christmas right. After that, it’s floor to ceiling Christmas, and only in a good way. More sweaters than I’ve ever seen in one place, more Funko Pop figures that I’d ever seen, almost more Christmas than I’d ever seen, and that’s saying a lot.

It was a real challenge to take in the whole store. Multiple visits sounds like a good idea, just to be able to take it in. I looked at everything, but I had come with two friends who were very much into it as well. I think if they weren’t there, I’d have spent a lot more time and a lot more money. It’s probably really good that there were there. I order from the website every year so it’s no surprise about the good stuff they have, but getting to see it all in person was so much better. And oh so Christmassy.

Meeting Tyler and Jordie

My work on Christmas projects like this site and my Christmas twitter account @chrspecials has introduced me to some really wonderful people. Part of the reason for this journey was because I wanted to introduce myself to the owners Tyler and Jordie Swartz. They made the documentary ‘Roadtrip for Ralpie‘ and Tyler has written books on A Christmas Story. I’ve seen so much of what they’ve done I felt like I sort of already knew them. Plus we have mutual friends so I thought, now’s the time to introduce myself. And I feel confident our paths will cross again.

They were both such wonderful and gracious people, taking some time to chat with me while the store around us bustled. Tyler even gave me a copy of his book and signed it to me. That was a real treat. It was quite an honour to meet them. I really love the people who make the Christmas community so friendly and special and Tyler and Jordie are no exception. They’re a shining example. I have never been shy about promoting their business in person and on Twitter and that’s because, not only do they have great stuff, but they show such passion and excitement for what they do. The Christmas community would be less without their efforts, and I love getting to help share what they do.

Perfect End to A Perfect Christmas Week

My trip to Retrofestive capped off an incredible week. Christmas shopping, Christmas lunches and a Christmas concert; it was the perfect conclusion to a week of Christmas. If you’re a Christmas person like I am, and if you ever find yourself anywhere near Oakville, Ontario, you really need to get to the Retrofestive store. (Say hi to Bumble for me). If not, the website is great too, and a little less overwhelming! I can’t wait to go back!

]]>Thanks to Celebvm.com and Pat Mastroianni (and special guests Dan Woods and Stacie Mistysyn) for this fun video wishing everyone Merry Christmas from Joey Jeremiah! Celebvm lets you request personalized videos from your favourite stars and I wanted this one for use on my annual Christmas CD. I thought I’d share it here in case anyone else wanted to use if as well. Personally, I’m pairing it with “Let’s Have Ourselves A Christmas” by the Degrassi Senior Orchestra (Featuring Cal Dodd), which comes from the 2003 episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation ‘Holiday (2)’, but feel free to use it however you want!

I’ve linked the video below, included a direct download and links to the audio (full and edited). Download and enjoy! Thanks Pat Mastroianni!

]]>http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/merry-christmas-from-joey-jeremiah/feed/0Ted Fiorino – Acapella Carol of the Bellshttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/ted-fiorino-acapella-carol-of-the-bells/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/ted-fiorino-acapella-carol-of-the-bells/#respondTue, 27 Nov 2018 14:03:54 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2048Is acapella your thing? Then check out this submission from Ted Fiorino. This version of Carol of the Bells should put you in the holiday spirit! Ted’s a classically trained singer with a long history with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Check out his website for more music information and to hear samples of Carol of […]

]]>Is acapella your thing? Then check out this submission from Ted Fiorino. This version of Carol of the Bells should put you in the holiday spirit! Ted’s a classically trained singer with a long history with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

Check out his website for more music information and to hear samples of Carol of the Bells and White Christmas.

I was fortunate to catch a 2017 premiere of this Christmas horror film from Ottawa filmmakers Chris Chitaroni, Kristian Lariviere, Randy Smith and I’ve been waiting patiently for it to be released so I can watch it again. It was a lot of fun and definitely worth checking out if you’re into lower budget Christmas horror films. It reminded me of A Christmas Horror Story in a number of ways, but not in any derivative way. And I found this one to be more clever and fun. If you’re into Christmas horror, then you should seek this one out, see what you think.

And I love the poster. Missed my chance to get one at the premiere and I’m still kicking myself. Oh well, hopefully they’ll be reprinting when it gets it’s official release in 2019!

]]>http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/unholy-night/feed/0Rigel Thurston Music – We Sing Togetherhttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/rigel-thurston-music-we-sing-together/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/rigel-thurston-music-we-sing-together/#respondSun, 25 Nov 2018 14:50:55 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2042Another fun submission, the piano sounds of Rigel Thurston Music.Check out We Sing Together as a digital download, or check it out on streaming services after December 1st. Find out more here: Rigel Thurston Music – We Sing Together It’s enjoyable piano-based accessible music which would be fun for your next holiday gathering. Give it […]

]]>http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/rigel-thurston-music-we-sing-together/feed/0Honey Come Home For Christmas – Kate Nevehttp://namethatchristmasspecial.com/honey-come-home-for-christmas-by-kate-neve/
http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/honey-come-home-for-christmas-by-kate-neve/#commentsMon, 12 Nov 2018 12:47:27 +0000http://namethatchristmasspecial.com/?p=2026And the first submission of the season is… Honey Come Home for Christmas, by Kate Neve. It’s a bright, fun poppy number worth sharing and enjoying. Kate is from Oshawa and she’s a 17 year old Canadian singer/songwriter. Check out the link to hear the song, and if you like it, you can always feel […]

]]>And the first submission of the season is… Honey Come Home for Christmas, by Kate Neve. It’s a bright, fun poppy number worth sharing and enjoying. Kate is from Oshawa and she’s a 17 year old Canadian singer/songwriter. Check out the link to hear the song, and if you like it, you can always feel good about purchasing it, knowing that part of the proceeds are being donated to Habitat for Humanity, a truly worthy cause. So give it a listen and see what you think. Thanks for the submission Kate!